This is not the next chapter of HNM, but a preview for a possible DantexNero story...lol

I have struggled with myself since HNM is only a few chapters from being complete now. Struggled because I told myself I would do one yaoi story and leave it at that. However... I like this pairing far too much to not do more with them. So I'll leave the ultimate choice up to you.

Below is a preview of an AU story I've been playing around with called "Ardor". It will involve the entire DMC cast, but in an alternate universe setting. Fortuna is a small farming community that has worshipped Sparda as the local savior who has kept them safe from demonic attacks and famine, but at a price. A human bride (Eva).

With Sparda's death and the introduction to his two sons the town is obligated once again to provide a virginal bride for each of them. The eldest having taken a bride already (to hilarious reprecussions of it being Lady. Note to Vergil, make sure you know the girl's personality before you pick on looks alone...lmao), now it's time for the youngest to select his bride.

Credo, the wealthiest man in Fortuna has hired the young devil hunter Nero to protect his sister Kyrie, who he believes will be the chosen bride. Nero accepts of course, especially after meeting the beautiful, kind girl and vowing to protect her virtue from the rumored "Wild Devil".

Trouble is, things don't go exactly as any of them originally thought it would...

This story has serious humor potential, and I'm anxious to see where it would go since Nero wants no part of the devil and Dante is so possessively determined to change his tune in Dante's favor. :D

So here's a random snippet from chapter one. Let me know what you think. :D

Ardor

Chapter 1 Preview

Nero held his breath from his shadowy corner of the room as the window slightly unlatched itself and swung open. A gentle breeze rustled the bedding along with the drapes and Nero felt an odd chill run down his spine.

No shadow showed itself to indicate the devil's arrival, and yet Nero saw the bare foot step into the room. It made no sound upon the wooden floor, and the long cloth that wrapped itself from hip to ankle lightly rustled as he walked. The torso was bare, and yet this was all he could see of the devil as he entered. Well, with the exception of the silky white hair that reached down past mid-neck. White... Just like mine...

The devil walked to the bed and stood at the foot board, gazing down at Kyrie in total silence as if contemplating something. Nero could see the shadowed plains of the elder's back which glowed healthily in the pale moonlight streaming through the windows.

"Heh."

Nero heard the rumble of a laugh break the tension of the moment before the devil bent over to touch Kyrie's exposed foot. At this Nero moved into action, walking forward to show himself. The devil turned however, as if the he knew he was there to meet him eye to eye, toe to toe in one fluid movement. Rough hands found his wrists as if expecting Nero to raise them against him.

Those strange cerulean eyes looked at him in somewhat shock as he felt the devil's grip tighten on his wrists. Nero, for a split second, was in awe of the devil's face from the white brows to the light eyelashes. He had seen devil's before, but there was something different and almost hypnotic about the one before him now. The eyes were fierce, determined, with a hint of playfulness as they eyed him pointedly before his mouth turned up in a wry smile.

Nero had the strangest feeling the longer the devil eyed him, like he needed to back away. Almost as if meeting the creature's stare was giving him permission to do something, yet Nero could not comprehend what exactly. That, and why his heart felt like it stopped beating for a split second.

"Are you Dante?" Nero asked finally breaking the silence between them.

"Who wants to know?" Said the voice coming within the devil before him. The tone was pleasant, if not slightly gravelly and deep as if coming from the confines of his chest. Nero only glared at him in return.

"Leave her alone. Get out of here and find someone else." Nero growled as he tried to pull himself from the devil's hands. Dante refused to let go of him and so Nero used his devil bringer to break the hold he had on his human hand. It was then Dante lifted his demon hand to examine it closely, as if not seeing it before. His eyes fell to the sword on his back, and most importantly the insignia on his clothing. His eyes narrowed slightly, but the smirk never faltered.

"Well, what have we here? A devil hunter who hunts his own kind? Not much of one with how weak you are." Dante mused. Nero sneered as he used his demonic hand and pushed Dante up against the wall, catching the elder devil off guard. Kyrie woke instantaneously, but stayed still and quiet.

"Kyrie, go downstairs." Nero ordered at the frightened girl. She nodded and ran out the door without a word.

"Well... I never did imagine this would be how things turned out. Although after seeing your hand I'm not at all displeased."

"Listen. There are other girls." Nero offered. He wanted to kick the devil's ass, but he knew he had to settle this peacefully as Credo requested.

"There is." Dante agreed.

"So... you won't take Kyrie then?" Nero asked cautiously. If it was going to be this easy then he might've kissed the bastard. At this thought the Devil's eyes narrowed.

"Of course. I didn't come here for her."

"Uhhh, ok? Then who?" Nero asked confused.

"Did you know devil's grant wishes?" Dante asked with a dirty smirk.

"No?"

What the hell is he talking about?

"If he's gonna make it this easy I just might kiss him." Dante said in a low rumble, mirroring Nero's thoughts. Nero's eyes widened. "I'll tell you a secret kid," he continued as he leaned towards Nero. Nero though didn't want him close and finally got his hand free, turning with the pretense of moving from him. He didn't get far though as he felt a strong arm wrap around his stomach and pull him back until he was matching the devil curve for curve from behind.

"Let go!" Nero yelled as he tried to move the arm around his waist, while his demonic one was grabbed by the devil's free hand. He felt breath by his ear, warmth by his shoulder, and closed his eyes as the devil suddenly whispered.

"I didn't come for her. I came for you."

Muhahaha, what do ya think? :D